I may be asking a question that has been talked to death. But, I am going to open this can of worms.

When my hubby and I ride, especially in the wilderness areas, I carry my little 38. It is small, fits nicely in my horn bag and can be in my grubby hand in just a second. I have carried it for several years but don't have a carry permit. I plan to get one but I just have been too lazy to go and pay the $50 to get it. I know that there are a lot of places that we (all of us, you too) ride that guns are prohibited. My question, what is the punishment to be caught with one. And, wouldn't I have to be doing something suspicious for a ranger/cop to search my horse and saddle bags?

Only once have I actually pulled it from my horn bag to possibly use. we had parked our trailer at a trailhead in a large wilderness area. When we came back to the truck after our wonderful ride there was an old codger parked near us with a rifle. (hunting season ??) I quietly pulled my gun out of the horn bag and out of the holster and slipped it into my pocket of my jacket. My hubby rode ahead of me and talked to the guy. he said he had locked his keys in his pickup and wondered if we had a clothes hanger. Needless to say we did not. I stayed back and kept my hand on the gun. the whole time. The old guy was nice but still carried his rifle. some other guys in a car drove by and he walked out there to flag them down and see if they had a clothes hanger. It ended up being a totally true story and the old guy was on the up and up. BUT, it could have easly been a set up.

I also worry that we might have to put a horse down.

Needless to say I worry that I will be caught with a gun where I should not have one. but, I feel that I would have to be acting crazy for them to search me. sooooo..... I carry one.

What is everyone elses thought.

Rhonda

kevinshorses

02-12-2010 12:26 PM

Get off your butt and get a carry permit then carry 24/7. That's what I do and I'm glad for it. I also carry it on me not on my horse. If I get seperated from my horse I may need my gun. I also wouldn't go anywhere that I couldn't carry a firearm. I believe that carry in national parks is now allowed so I don't think there are many places you can take a horse that you can't take a gun but it's better to check than get thrown in jail.

Solon

02-12-2010 12:29 PM

Get your permit.

Some wilderness areas and parks do not allow guns in them. Contact the Forest Service. The fines in the past were hefty and I believe they could take your truck, trailer and horses (at least some places in Washington they used to do that, may still be the case). In some cases, they did allow you to buy your stuff back. I know when my Agency seizes trucks/trailers/horses/dogs for hunting violations we often allow people to try and buy them back for a pretty big price.

AlabamaHorseMom

02-12-2010 12:30 PM

^^ Agree with Kevin.

We have the right... USE IT!

Alwaysbehind

02-12-2010 12:33 PM

Get your permit! It is silly not to have one. And I agree with Kevin that it makes more sense to carry on your person.

We have concealed carry laws here as well and it's $150 for the permit plus the cost of the training.
We also have an open carry law that requires no permit. As long as the firearm is not hidden your ok. Maybe you need to start wearing it in a holster in plain sight. Check your local laws though. Here the open law is also regulated by county and city ordinance.
Either way you need to obey the law. I'm sure the fine's for not doing so far outweigh the cost of compliance.

Kentucky

02-12-2010 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vidaloco
(Post 550605)

We have concealed carry laws here as well and it's $150 for the permit plus the cost of the training.
We also have an open carry law that requires no permit. As long as the firearm is not hidden your ok. Maybe you need to start wearing it in a holster in plain sight. Check your local laws though. Here the open law is also regulated by county and city ordinance.
Either way you need to obey the law. I'm sure the fine's for not doing so far outweigh the cost of compliance.

I can't find it now but there was one from Califonia that boasted that he would get you to be able to fire twice form your horse in 2 days.

BFFofHorses

02-12-2010 04:07 PM

I think guns are a gOOD idea on trails. I met a bear once, and if my horse hadn't charged it, I probably wouldn't be here. I'm too young to carry one, but I know how to shhot it, so I'm thankful to have a horse that takes care of me :)

Walkamile

02-12-2010 04:25 PM

Wow! Your horse charged at a bear? I'm pretty sure mine would have unseated me and headed for the hills! :lol:
It's not the four legged predators that worry me, but the two legged. I ride alone a lot and in very remote areas. I've run across a few guys that gave me the willies. Fortunately not problems, but I do have a side arm that I can bring along on such rides. I keep it strapped to me, won't do me any good if I get separated from my horse and it's on the saddle.

Get the permit.

kevinshorses

02-12-2010 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkamile
(Post 550788)

Wow! Your horse charged at a bear? I'm pretty sure mine would have unseated me and headed for the hills! :lol:
It's not the four legged predators that worry me, but the two legged. I ride alone a lot and in very remote areas. I've run across a few guys that gave me the willies. Fortunately not problems, but I do have a side arm that I can bring along on such rides. I keep it strapped to me, won't do me any good if I get separated from my horse and it's on the saddle.

Get the permit.

You're right about the wild animals. I have never seen a wild animal that scared me but a few times I have seen people either on the trail or at the trailhead that I kept an eye on. Since I have gotten my permit I don't even go to the store unarmed. I live in a nice safe town but bad things happen even in nice safe towns. I couldn't live with myself if I left my pistol at home and couldn't prevent injury to my wife and kids.